Morocco deepens ties with China in push for balanced global engagement

As Morocco continues to diversify its global partnerships,foreign Minister Nasser Bourita’s recent visit to China last week marks a significant step in Rabat’s quest to consolidate international support for its autonomy plan in the Sahara.

The visit,highlighted by the signing of a memorandum of understanding and the establishment of a permanent strategic dialogue mechanism,reflects Morocco’s broader diplomatic posture: a deliberate pivot toward multipolarity.

From Washington to Brussels in addition to Moscow and Beijing,Rabat is leveraging diversified partnerships as a source of geopolitical strength.

After receiving the UN’s personal envoy Staffan de Mistura,Russian diplomacy has formally described the Sahara conflict as a relic of colonialism and backed recent UN security resolutions,which all describe Morocco’s autonomy plan as a serious proposal and urge a political solution based on compromise.

With China,the joint statement following Bourita’s visit stresses the principle of non-interference in domestic issues of sovereign states as Morocco backs the one-China principle.

The growth of Sino-Moroccan dialogue builds on a trajectory initiated during King Mohammed VI’s landmark visit to China in 2016 and reinforced by President Xi Jinping’s visit to Morocco in 2024. These high-level exchanges have laid the foundation for a partnership that now extends beyond trade to encompass political coordination and strategic alignment.

The language used in Bourita’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart- emphasizing solidarity,mutual respect,and trust- signals a shared intent to build an equal and multidimensional relationship.

The joint communiqué notably underscores a willingness to explore new forms of multilateral coordination,suggesting a maturing and structured partnership.

Crucially,the Sahara issue is emerging as a focal point in this evolving relationship. While China has traditionally maintained a cautious stance,recent developments suggest a subtle but meaningful shift.

Indicators include the exclusion of Polisario representatives from major Sino-African forums,nuanced official statements in multilateral settings,and growing international analyses pointing to a recalibration of Beijing’s position in favor of Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara.

This shift is driven by converging interests. Morocco offers China a stable investment environment with strategic access to European and West African markets. For Beijing,whose African policy prioritizes economic pragmatism and regional stability,Morocco presents a reliable partner aligned with its long-term objectives.

Rabat’s message is clear: any deepening of bilateral ties must acknowledge the reality of Morocco’s territorial integrity within an autonomy framework.